Alabama

6:10 pm

Thu April 19, 2012

Alabama Restricting Some Cold, Allergy Medicines

Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Senate has given final approval to a bill designed to fight the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine by restricting where cold and allergy medicine containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine can be sold.

The bill by Republican Rep. Blaine Galliher won approval in the House last month and cleared the Senate 27-4 on Thursday. It now goes to the governor for signing into law.

Galliher said ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are used to make meth. The bill limits the sale of medicine with ephedrine and pseudoephedrine to pharmacies. They will no longer be sold in grocery stores and other retail stores that don't include pharmacies. Purchasers will have to show a state-issued ID, military ID or passport.

Galliher said the bill does not require a prescription like Mississippi does.